Vesta Wildfires series
During 2001-2002, the CSIRO Bushfire Research Group and the WA CaLM Department designed a series of wildfire experiments in Jarrah forests known as the Project Vesta.
To monitor the fires progress, officers positioned in close proximity took thousands of photographs and other images. Sean Cheney and the CSIRO Bushfire Research Group allowed Phil access to the images. After a close call with the January 2003 Canberra fires, Phil decided to wade through the images to see if any would be suitable for painting:
Vesta Wildfires 1, Vesta Wildfires 2, and Vesta Wildfires 3 each have the features Phil finds fascinating about bushfires; the combination of destruction and beauty, the dramatic light contrast, and the bright vibrant colours of flame and smoke within the greens and browns of the forest.
Find out more about Phil's art: